The Center for Language Education has several types of intensive language options for our students and prospective junior and senior high school students wishing to learn and use English, Japanese and other languages in a practical and enjoyable way. One of our major programs is the Kamogawa Intensive English Weekend Program.

At each Kamogawa Intensive English Weekend, students get to experience the atmosphere of a foreign country.

Students are encouraged to imagine that they are in an English-speaking place where the only way to communicate is through English. For 24 hours, students are required to use English not only when they study, but also when they are relaxing, either taking a break between activities, or enjoying a meal in the Center's dining hall.

Through a series of training sessions, students prepare themselves to undertake a an English-speaking task, such as checking in to a hotel or meeting a homestay parent for the first time at an airport. Then, as in a real life situation, they attempt the task with a native speaker under conditions in which they experience the excitement of an authentic international exchange, but without the fear of putting themselves into an awkward or troublesome situation.

Students not only study how to use language effectively on the Kamogawa weekends, but also learn about various cultural activities. Students have an opportunity to discover the traditions of Halloween and Valentine's Day, as well as how to do traditional Scottish dances and sing famous western pop songs.

A highlight of the Kamogawa Weekend English Intensive course is the Christmas session. Students learn to make Christmas crackers and decorate a Christmas tree as well as enjoy a traditional western Christmas dinner of turkey and roast vegetables and sing Christmas carols and songs around the Christmas tree.

The Kamogawa weekends are demanding but rewarding and provide students with a taste of what study abroad is like while at the same time helping them to be more prepared for their overseas experience.

This past September, 140 students from Josai Junior High School in Tokyo came down to experience English first-hand with our English language instructors. Three international students, Cristina, Jack and Valyntina, participated as well, helping out and making sure everything ran smoothly throughout the nine days.

The 140 students were split into four groups of around 35 students. Each group spent 2 nights and 3 days learning English through a variety of activities, games and even casually during breakfast, lunch and dinner.